Must success always mean leaving your job and taking a risk? As social media continues to celebrate hustle culture and bold career moves, one woman from Hyderabad has offered a different take on corporate life.
A woman named Akanksha Rai, shared her views in an Instagram video, where she spoke about her journey as the eldest daughter in her family. She explained why she has never looked down on conventional office work and why earning a monthly salary changed her life.
She captioned the post, “My 9–5 didn’t trap me… it gave me freedom. As an elder daughter from a middle-class family, this job is more than a paycheck, it’s security, support, and self-respect. Not everyone is building an empire. Some of us are building a life.”
In the video, she said, “I don't know who needs to hear this, but as an elder daughter from a middle-class family, I'll never look down on a 9-to-5, because for me, it was never just a job. It was the first time I could ease a little pressure at my place. The first time I did not have to think twice before spending on something I liked. The first time I felt like I could stand on my own feet.”
Her remarks highlighted a reality familiar to many households, where elder children often take on responsibilities early and are expected to help support the family. She said that while growing up, people in such situations do not dream only for themselves, but also carry the expectations and worries of their siblings. She added that when the salary arrives, it is not just money, but a sense of security, relief and dignity.
Akanksha also spoke about the growing trend of asking people to leave their jobs and follow passion instead. She said, “I know the internet loves to say 'Quit your 9-to-5, chase your passion,' but for people like us, it's not always that simple, and honestly, not everyone wants to leave.